Brook to meet Senchenko in October

Kell Brook will return to the ring on October 26 to face former WBA welterweight champion Vyashaslev Senchenko, it has been announced.

Unbeaten Brook will take on the Ukrainian in front of his home crowd at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield.

Senchencko has only lost once in 33 professional bouts, when he surrendered the WBA title to Paulie Malignaggi in April 2012.

However, Brook is well known by British fans for ending Ricky Hatton's comeback at Manchester's MEN Arena in November.

Brook's promoter Eddie Hearn took to Twitter to confirm the news, before stating it would be the perfect test.

"I'm delighted to make this fight and feel it's the perfect fight for Kell at this time," Hearn told Sky Sports
. "It's without doubt his sternest test yet and Senchenko brings credibility as a former world title holder and mass appeal after his knockout win over Ricky Hatton. We are going to put on a special show in Sheffield and the atmosphere will be electric."

Brook admitted he cannot wait to fight in front of his home-town fans, insisting he is firmly focused on getting in prime condition for the task ahead.

"I can't wait to get down to training again and show the fans in Sheffield why I deserve to be at the top," Brook told Sky Sports News "Senchenko has been there and done it, he's been world champion. It's going to be one hell of a fight. I can't wait to get back into the gym and really get into beast mode and become conditioned for this fight.

"I'm just looking forward to the task ahead of me. I can't wait to be out there in front of the fans in Sheffield again. I really get up for it when I'm in Sheffield, with the atmosphere and when it's packed to the rafters.

"It's really passionate, I can't wait to get back there and be in a big fight again because I'm knocking on the door now. This is a major fight for me so I'm really, really excited about fighting there. I'm on the doorstep for the world title."

Brook fights in the Steel City for the first time since October, where he saw off Hector David Saldivia in an IBF eliminator. However, he has seen three dates to fight IBF champion Devon Alexander fall through due to injury on both sides.